Online Shoppers Blog - Become's Pocket Change

(See part 1 and part 2)

If a retailer lists the price incorrectly either on an item or fixture, then the consumer has the right to the lowest price. Example: An Oster toaster shows $39.99 on the box. A sign above it shows “All Oster Toasters at 50% off.” Then you get to the cashier and it scans at $39.99. You are entitled to the item at 50% off (or $19.99). Most cashiers (at major retailers) have permission to override the price of items up to $20 off the scan price without authorization.

One exception to the rule is when an item has been misplaced on a fixture. An example is a stereo system left on the toaster fixture. It’s not necessarily 50% off! Another example would be an accessory item. The retailer may have been trying to drive sales by leaving a small bread pyramid on the toaster fixture. Does that mean the bread is 50% off? Only if the sign is generic and doesn’t specify that it relates to toasters.

So what if a sign is wrong and the retailer doesn’t want to give you the lower price? This is not typical as you could call and complain to Weights and Measures. Most retailers fear this government agency as they periodically go into stores and scan 100 random items. If they have more than 4 errors out of a 100, then they are fined heavily and scheduled for more visits. A complaint from a consumer of signing fraud will often lead to a visit.

Daryl